Egg-shaped toy cars and methods of making the same

ABSTRACT

Egg-shaped toy cars are disclosed. Methods of making egg-shaped toy cars are also disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to egg-shaped toy cars. Thepresent invention further relates to methods of making egg-shaped toycars.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There exists a need in the art for new toys having structural featuresthat provide functionality, an aesthetically pleasing design, and joy tokids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to egg-shaped toy cars and methods ofmaking egg-shaped toy cars. In one exemplary embodiment, the egg-shapedtoy car comprises an egg-shaped car chassis; one or more wheels; and atleast one axle joining the one or more wheels to the egg-shaped carchassis. The egg-shaped car chassis may comprise one or more featuressimilar to features found on a full-size automobile including, but notlimited to, headlights, fenders, windows, doors, a hood compartment, atrunk compartment, a sunroof, etc.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the egg-shaped toy carcomprises an egg-shaped car chassis having an enclosed space surroundedby an outer periphery of the egg-shaped car chassis; one or more wheels;at least one axle joining the one or more wheels to the egg-shaped carchassis; and an animal figurine positioned within the enclosed space ofthe egg-shaped car chassis. In one exemplary embodiment, the animalfigurine comprises a figurine of an animal that hatches from an egg. Forexample, the animal figurine may comprise a snake, a lizard, a frog, adinosaur, a bird, a duckbill platypus, an alligator, a crocodile, afish, a crab, or a turtle.

In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, the egg-shaped toycar comprises an egg-shaped car chassis having at least one hatch on anouter surface of the egg-shaped car chassis so as to provide access toan interior space within the egg-shaped car chassis; four wheels; twoaxles joining the four wheels to the egg-shaped car chassis; and ananimal figurine positioned within the egg-shaped car chassis. In oneembodiment, the animal figurine comprises a snake, a lizard, a frog, adinosaur, a dragon, a bird, a duckbill platypus, an alligator, acrocodile, a fish, a crab, a lobster, a turtle, or a combinationthereof. The egg-shaped car chassis may further comprise at least onetransparent portion extending along an outer surface of the egg-shapedcar chassis to provide a view of the animal figurine positioned withinthe egg-shaped car chassis.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent after a review of the following detailed description ofthe disclosed embodiments and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention is further described with reference to theappended figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary egg-shaped toy car ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the exemplary egg-shaped toy car shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of another exemplary egg-shaped toy car ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the exemplary egg-shaped toy car shown inFIG. 3 in an open configuration;

FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view of the exemplary egg-shaped toy car shownin FIG. 3;

FIG. 6A depicts a side view of another exemplary egg-shaped toy car ofthe present invention;

FIG. 6B depicts a top view of the exemplary egg-shaped toy car shown inFIG. 6A; and

FIG. 6C depicts a side view of the exemplary egg-shaped toy car shown inFIG. 6A in an open configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to egg-shaped toy cars. The presentinvention is further directed to methods of making egg-shaped toy cars.

An exemplary egg-shaped toy car of the present invention is depicted inFIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10 comprises anegg-shaped car body or chassis 11, wheels 12, and wheel axles 13. Inthis exemplary embodiment, egg-shaped car body or chassis 11 comprises anumber of optional body components typically found on a full-sizeautomobile. For example, egg-shaped car body or chassis 11 comprisesdoors 14, a hood 15, a trunk 16, a windshield 17, a steering wheel 18,headlights 19, front fender 20, door windows 21, rear window 22, rearbumper 23, and sunroof 25. As discussed below, one or more of theoptional body components may be movable relative to a stationary portionof egg-shaped car body or chassis 11 (e.g., side panel 29).

FIG. 2 provides a side view of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10 as viewedalong line A shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, exemplary egg-shapedtoy car 10 may comprise many optional body features typically found on afull-size automobile. In this exemplary embodiment, wheels 12 comprise arim portion 25 and a tire portion 26.

As shown by exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2, theegg-shaped toy cars of the present invention may comprise a number ofcomponents. A more detailed description of some of the individualcomponents is provided below.

I. Egg-Shaped Toy Car Components

The egg-shaped toy cars of the present invention may comprise one ormore of the following components.

A. Egg-Shaped Car Body or Chassis

The egg-shaped toy cars of the present invention comprise an egg-shapedcar body or chassis, such as exemplary egg-shaped car body or chassis 11of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10. As used herein, the term“egg-shaped” is used to describe a car body or chassis thatsubstantially resembles the shape of an egg. Desirably, the car body hasan egg-shaped configuration such that any dissection of the car bodyalong a line perpendicular to a length of the car body results in asubstantially circular cross-sectional area, while any dissection of thecar body along a line parallel to a length of the car body results in asubstantially oval cross-sectional area (i.e., a cross-sectional areasimilar to a cross-sectional area obtained by dissecting an actualchicken egg).

As discussed above, the egg-shaped car body or chassis may comprise oneor more features typically found on a full-size automobile. For example,the egg-shaped car body may comprise one or more features including, butnot limited to, headlights, fenders, windows, doors, a hood compartment,a trunk compartment, a sunroof, a steering wheel, seats, other carinterior components, exhaust systems, fenders, spoilers, etc. One ormore of the above-mentioned car features may be movable (i.e., the partcan be moved relative to another portion of the car body) and/orremovable parts (i.e., the part can be separated from the car body).

In one exemplary embodiment, the egg-shaped car chassis comprises atleast one transparent portion extending along an outer surface of theegg-shaped car chassis, wherein one or more transparent portions providea view of at least a portion of an interior of the egg-shaped carchassis. The one or more transparent portions may represent a carwindow, a windshield, a car door, a car hatch, or any other portion ofthe egg-shaped car body or chassis. For example, in exemplary egg-shapedtoy car 10, any of the above-mentioned components could be transparent.Typically, in exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10, one or more of thefollowing components are transparent: windshield 17, headlights 19, doorwindows 21, rear window 22, and sunroof 25.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the egg-shaped car chassis comprisesat least one door (e.g., doors 14 of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10),wherein one or more doors provide access to at least a portion of aninterior of the egg-shaped car chassis. The door may provide access tothe car interior (i.e., the driver seat), the car trunk, the enginecompartment, or any combination. In some embodiments, at least one doorcomprises a transparent door portion (e.g., door windows 21 of exemplaryegg-shaped toy car 10) extending along an outer surface of theegg-shaped car chassis, wherein the transparent door portion provides aview of at least a portion of an interior of the egg-shaped car chassis.

The egg-shaped car body or chassis may be formed from a variety ofmaterials including, but not limited to, plastics (i.e., thermosettableand/or thermoplastic materials), metals, ceramics, fabrics, rubbers,cellulosic materials, and glass. Typically, the egg-shaped car body orchassis is formed from a thermoformable polymeric material or a metal.In one exemplary embodiment, non-transparent portions of the egg-shapedcar body or chassis are formed from a metal, such as steel, aluminum,brass, or stainless steel, while transparent portions of the egg-shapedcar body or chassis are formed from any polymer that provides atransparent part. Suitable polymers may include, but are not limited to,polyvinyl chloride, polyesters, polyolefins, polyamines, polycarbonates,polymethyl methacrylates, methacrylate polymers, polyethersulfones, etc.In a further exemplary embodiment, the entire egg-shaped car body orchassis is formed from one or more plastics to provide an egg-shaped carbody or chassis having one or more optional transparent portions asdescribed above, wherein the non-transparent portions and thetransparent portions are both formed from one or more of theabove-mentioned polymeric materials.

The egg-shaped car body or chassis may have any desired dimensions.Although there is no limitation on the size of the egg-shaped car body,the egg-shaped car body typically has an overall length of less than 6feet (ft.) and an overall diameter of less than about 4 ft. In oneexemplary embodiment, the egg-shaped car body has an overall length ofless than 12 inches (in.) and an overall diameter of less than about 8in. In a further exemplary embodiment, the egg-shaped car body has anoverall length ranging from about 2 in. to about 6 in., and an overalldiameter ranging from about 1 in. to about 3 in.

B. Wheels

The egg-shaped toy cars further comprise one or more wheels, such asexemplary wheels 12 of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10. In one exemplaryembodiment, the egg-shaped toy car comprises three or more wheels. In afurther exemplary embodiment, the egg-shaped toy car comprises fourwheels. When two or more wheels are present, the wheels may have asimilar or different size. For example, the wheel(s) on the front end ofthe toy car may have a smaller size relative to wheel(s) on the rear endof the toy car.

Each wheel may comprise a rim portion (e.g., exemplary rim portion 25 ofexemplary egg-shaped toy car 10) and a tire portion (e.g., exemplarytire portion 26 of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10) similar to wheels ona full-size car. When the wheel has this configuration, the rim portionis typically formed from a metal or plastic material such as thosedescribed above, while the tire portion is typically formed from arubber material. Alternatively, each wheel may comprise a singlematerial, such as a metal or rubber material.

Like the egg-shaped car body or chassis described above, the one or morewheels may have any desired dimensions. Typically, each wheel has anoverall diameter of less than about 12 in., and an overall width (orthickness) of less than about 2 in. In one exemplary embodiment, eachwheel has an overall diameter of less than 6 in. and an overall width(or thickness) of less than about 0.5 in. In a further exemplaryembodiment, each wheel has an overall diameter ranging from about 0.1in. to about 2 in., and an overall width (or thickness) ranging fromabout 0.1 in. to about 0.4 in.

C. Axles

The egg-shaped toy cars further comprise one or more wheel axles forjoining the above-described wheels to the above-described egg-shaped carbody or chassis, such as exemplary axles 13 of exemplary egg-shaped toycar 10. Each wheel axle may independently extend through a given wheelor attach to one side of a given wheel. In some embodiments, one wheelaxle may be attached to or extend through a single wheel. In otherembodiments, one wheel axle may be attached to or extend through morethan one wheel (e.g., one axle attached to two wheels on opposite sidesof the egg-shaped car body).

Each axle may extend through a portion of the egg-shaped car body or bepositioned below the egg-shaped car body. In one exemplary embodiment,the axles extend through a portion of the egg-shaped car body. In afurther exemplary embodiment, the axles are positioned below theegg-shaped car body. In yet a further exemplary embodiment, at least oneaxle extends through a portion of the egg-shaped car body (e.g., a frontend of the car body), while at least one other axle is positioned belowthe egg-shaped car body (e.g., a rear end of the car body).

Each axle is typically formed from a metal or plastic material such asthose described above.

D. Frame

The egg-shaped toy cars may further comprise an optional frame suitablefor joining the above-described axles to the above-described egg-shapedcar body or chassis. An exemplary frame 43 is shown in exemplaryegg-shaped toy car 30 of FIGS. 3-5. FIG. 5 provides a bottom view ofexemplary egg-shaped toy car 30 along line B shown in FIG. 3. As shownin FIG. 5, exemplary frame 43 may be used to join axles 33, which areconnected to wheels 32, to egg-shaped car body 31. Exemplary frame 43may be attached to egg-shaped car body 31 using any known attachmentdevice including, but not limited to, adhesives, screws, etc. Inexemplary egg-shaped toy car 30, exemplary frame 43 is attached toegg-shaped car body 31 using screws 44.

Like the above-described wheel axles, a portion of the frame may extendthrough a portion of the egg-shaped car body (not shown) and/or bepositioned below the egg-shaped car body (see FIG. 5). In one exemplaryembodiment, a portion of the frame extends through a portion of theegg-shaped car body. In a further exemplary embodiment, the frame ispositioned below the egg-shaped car body. In yet a further exemplaryembodiment, a portion of the frame extends through a portion of theegg-shaped car body (e.g., a front end of the car body), while anotherportion of the frame is positioned below the egg-shaped car body (e.g.,a rear end of the car body).

The frame is typically formed from a metal or plastic material such asthose described above.

E. Animal Figurine

The egg-shaped toy cars may further comprise at least one animalfigurine. The animal figurine may be positioned within an interior spaceof the car or in the proximity of the car. The animal figurine may bepositioned in the driver seat of the car, or may be positioned in someother location within the car. When multiple animal figurines arepresent, at least one animal figurine can be positioned in the driverseat and at least one other animal figurine can be positioned in alocation other than the driver seat. An example of an egg-shaped toy carand an animal figurine is depicted in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, exemplary egg-shaped toy car 30 comprises anegg-shaped car body 31 having front end 27 and rear end 28, wheels 32,and wheel axles 33. In this exemplary embodiment, egg-shaped car body 31comprises a transparent upper half 37 and a non-transparent lower half39 separated from one another by seam 36. Transparent upper half 37enables one to view an interior of egg-shaped car body 31, whichincludes animal figurine 35 and steering wheel 38. In this example,animal figurine 35 is shown as the driver of exemplary egg-shaped toycar 30, wherein animal figurine 35 is holding on to steering wheel 38.In this exemplary embodiment, exemplary egg-shaped car body 31 alsocomprises exhaust 41 and spoiler 42.

In one desired embodiment, the animal figurine is a figurine of ananimal that hatches from an egg. In this embodiment, the animal maycomprise, but is not limited to, a snake, a lizard, a frog, a dinosaur,a dragon, a bird, a duckbill platypus, an alligator, a crocodile, afish, a crab, a lobster, a turtle, any other animal that hatches from anegg, or a combination of one or more of the above-mentioned animals.

In one exemplary embodiment, the animal figurine is separable orremovable from the egg-shaped toy car. For example, the animal may beremoved from an enclosed space of the egg-shaped car chassis via anyopening in the chassis including, but not limited to, a door, a sunroof,a hatch, a window, a convertible top, or a seam in the egg-shaped carchassis. Such a seam may be present, for example, to separate theegg-shaped car chassis into two or more chassis components. The two ormore chassis components may be separable from one another or joined toone another at one or more locations along outer peripheries of the twoor more chassis components, such as a hinge component that joins twochassis components. An example of such an embodiment is shown in FIGS.3-4.

As shown in FIG. 3, exemplary seam 36 separates transparent upper half37 from non-transparent lower half 39. Exemplary hinge 40 is providedalong a junction between transparent upper half 37 and non-transparentlower half 39 on rear end 28 of egg-shaped toy car 30. As shown in FIG.4, transparent upper half 37 may be separated from non-transparent lowerhalf 39 by moving transparent upper half 37 away from seam 36, providingaccess to animal figurine 35. As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment,animal figurine 35 is removable from exemplary egg-shaped toy car 30.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the animal figurine is permanentlyattached to the egg-shaped toy car. An example of such an embodiment isshown in FIGS. 6A-6C. As shown in FIG. 6A, exemplary egg-shaped toy car60 comprises an egg-shaped car body 61 having front end 27 and rear end28, wheels 62, and wheel axles 63 (shown as dashed lines in FIG. 6B). Inthis exemplary embodiment, egg-shaped car body 61 further compriseshatch doors 64, hinges 65 attaching hatch doors 64 to egg-shaped carbody 61, and wheel fenders 66. As discussed above, one or morecomponents of egg-shaped car body 61 may be transparent to provide aview of interior space within exemplary egg-shaped toy car 60. Forexample, hatch doors 64 may be transparent.

As shown in FIGS. 6B-6C, hatch doors 64 may be opened to provide accessto an interior portion 69 of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 60, whichincludes animal figurine 67 and steering wheel 68. In this example,animal figurine 67 is shown as the driver of exemplary egg-shaped toycar 60, wherein animal figurine 67 is holding on to steering wheel 68.Further, in this embodiment, animal figurine 67 is permanently attachedto or an integral component of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 60. Forexample, animal figurine 67 may be die cast as an integral component ofegg-shaped car body 61.

As shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, wheel axles 63 (shown as dashed lines in FIG.6B) extend through egg-shaped car body 61. As discussed above, in otherembodiments, wheel axles may be attached to egg-shaped car body 61 via aframe (such as in exemplary egg-shaped toy car 30 shown in FIG. 3-5).Further, although egg-shaped car body 61 of exemplary egg-shaped toy car60 comprises two hatch doors 64, it should be understood that a singlehatch door may be used in place of double hatch doors 64.

It should be understood that exemplary egg-shaped toy cars 10, 30, and60 are just several examples of egg-shaped toy cars of the presentinvention, and that many other configurations are encompassed by thepresent invention. As discussed above, access to an interior compartmentof an egg-shaped toy car of the present invention may be obtainedthrough a door, a window, a sunroof, a hatch, a truck, or a hood.Further, other egg-shaped car body configurations that comprise multipleparts, other than that shown in exemplary egg-shaped toy cars 10, 30,and 60, are encompassed by the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6A-6C, the animal figurine may comprise one ormore features that enable the animal figurine to be temporarily orpermanently attached to a component of the toy car. For example, theanimal figurine may comprise hands, feet or a tail that can be formed soas to temporarily attach to a steering wheel (as shown in FIG. 3) and/ora driver's seat of the toy car. In other embodiments, as discussedabove, the animal figurine may be permanently attach to an interiorspace of the toy car (as shown in FIG. 6C).

The animal figurine may have any desired dimensions. Typically, eachanimal figurine has an overall size that permits the animal figurine tobe positioned within an interior space of the toy car. In one exemplaryembodiment, each animal figurine has an overall height or length of lessthan about 3 ft. In a further exemplary embodiment, the animal figurinehas an overall height or length of less than 12 in. In yet a furtherexemplary embodiment, each animal figurine has an overall height orlength ranging from about 0.5 in. to about 2 in.

F. Electronics

The egg-shaped toy car may be motorized using an alternating current(AC) or direct current (DC) power source. When motorized, the egg-shapedtoy car further comprises a motor and a power source for the motor(e.g., a battery) (not shown).

In one exemplary embodiment, the egg-shaped toy car is motorized. Inother exemplary embodiments, the egg-shaped toy car is not motorized.

II. Methods of Making Egg-Shaped Toy Cars

The present invention is further directed to methods of making theabove-described egg-shaped toy cars. Each of the above-describedcomponents may be made and assembled using known manufacturingprocesses. For example, many of the above-described components can beformed using a shaping process when the component is formed from apolymeric or metal material. Examples of shaping processes include, butare not limited to, an injection molding process, a die-cast moldingprocess, and any extrusion process. The components may be shaped in amolding or extrusion process so as to snap together without the use ofadhesives or mechanical devices (e.g., screws). Alternatively, adhesivesand/or mechanical devices (e.g., screws, hinges, etc.) may be used tofasten components to one another.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the method ofmaking an egg-shaped toy car comprises (i) forming an egg-shaped carbody having one or more optional openings therein using an injectionmolding step; (ii) optionally, forming one or more car body componentsthat attach to the egg-shaped car body formed in step (i) (i.e., one ormore doors, windows, etc.); (iii) attaching the one or more car bodycomponents formed in step (ii) to the egg-shaped car body formed in step(i); (iv) forming one or more wheel axles; (v) forming one or morewheels; (vi) attaching the one or more wheels formed in step (v) to theone or more wheel axles formed in step (vi); and (vii) attaching the oneor more wheel/wheel axle combinations formed in step (vi) to theegg-shaped car body formed in step (i). The method may further compriseone or more additional steps to form other optional toy car components,such as a steering wheel, car seats, a spoiler, etc.

In a further embodiment, the method of making an egg-shaped toy carcomprises one or more of the above-described steps, wherein step (i)comprises forming multiple components that can be attached to oneanother to form an egg-shaped car body (e.g., exemplary egg-shaped carbody 31), wherein at least one of the multiple components is atransparent component. In yet a further embodiment, the method of makingan egg-shaped toy car comprises one or more of the above-describedsteps, and further comprises a step (viii) wherein an animal figurine ifformed so as to fit within the egg-shaped car body formed in step (i).

In yet a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, themethod of making an egg-shaped toy car comprises (i) forming anegg-shaped car body having one or more optional openings therein usingan injection molding step or die-cast molding step, wherein an animalfigurine is molded as a permanently attached component of the egg-shapedcar body; (ii) forming one or more car body components that attach tothe egg-shaped car body formed in step (i) (i.e., one or more hatchdoors); (iii) attaching the one or more car body components formed instep (ii) to the egg-shaped car body formed in step (i) via hinges orsome other mechanical component; (iv) forming one or more wheel axles;(v) forming one or more wheels; (vi) attaching the one or more wheelsformed in step (v) to the one or more wheel axles formed in step (vi);and (vii) attaching the one or more wheel/wheel axle combinations formedin step (vi) to the egg-shaped car body formed in step (i).

While the specification has been described in detail with respect tospecific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilledin the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, mayreadily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents tothese embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventionshould be assessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalentsthereto.

1. An egg-shaped toy car comprising: an egg-shaped car chassis; one ormore wheels; and at least one axle joining the one or more wheels to theegg-shaped car chassis.
 2. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 1, whereinthe egg-shaped toy car further comprises an animal figurine.
 3. Theegg-shaped toy car of claim 2, wherein the animal figurine comprises afigurine of an animal that hatches from an egg.
 4. The egg-shaped toycar of claim 3, wherein the animal that hatches from an egg comprises asnake, a lizard, a frog, a dinosaur, a dragon, a bird, a duckbillplatypus, an alligator, a crocodile, a fish, a crab, a lobster, or aturtle.
 5. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 2, wherein the animalfigurine is positioned within the egg-shaped car chassis.
 6. Theegg-shaped toy car of claim 1, wherein the at least one axle extendsthrough a portion of the egg-shaped car chassis.
 7. The egg-shaped toycar of claim 1, wherein the at least one axle is attached to a framethat extends below the egg-shaped car chassis.
 8. The egg-shaped toy carof claim 1, wherein the egg-shaped toy car comprises three or morewheels.
 9. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 1, wherein the egg-shaped toycar comprises four wheels.
 10. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 1,wherein the egg-shaped car chassis comprises a metal or plasticmaterial; the one or more wheels comprise a rubber material; and the atleast one axle comprises a metal or plastic material.
 11. The egg-shapedtoy car of claim 1, wherein the egg-shaped car chassis comprises atleast one transparent portion extending along an outer surface of theegg-shaped car chassis, wherein one or more transparent portions providea view of at least a portion of an interior of the egg-shaped carchassis.
 12. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 11, wherein the egg-shapedtoy car further comprises an animal figurine.
 13. The egg-shaped toy carof claim 1, wherein the egg-shaped car chassis comprises at least onedoor, wherein one or more doors provide access to at least a portion ofan interior of the egg-shaped car chassis.
 14. The egg-shaped toy car ofclaim 13, wherein at least one door comprises a transparent door portionextending along an outer surface of the egg-shaped car chassis, whereinthe transparent door portion provides a view of at least a portion of aninterior of the egg-shaped car chassis.
 15. The egg-shaped toy car ofclaim 1, wherein the egg-shaped car is motorized.
 16. An egg-shaped toycar comprising: an egg-shaped car chassis having an enclosed spacesurrounded by an outer periphery of the egg-shaped car chassis; one ormore wheels; at least one axle joining the one or more wheels to theegg-shaped car chassis; and an animal figurine positioned within theenclosed space of the egg-shaped car chassis.
 17. The egg-shaped toy carof claim 16, wherein the animal figurine comprises a snake, a lizard, afrog, a dinosaur, a dragon, a bird, a duckbill platypus, an alligator, acrocodile, a fish, a crab, a lobster, or a turtle.
 18. The egg-shapedtoy car of claim 16, wherein the animal figurine is removable from theenclosed space of the egg-shaped car chassis via an opening, a door, asunroof, a hatch, a window, a convertible top, or a seam in theegg-shaped car chassis.
 19. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 16, whereinthe animal figurine is permanently attached to the egg-shaped carchassis, and the egg-shaped car chassis further comprises at least onehatch door that provides access to the enclosed space.
 20. An egg-shapedtoy car comprising: an egg-shaped car chassis having at least one hatchon an outer surface of the egg-shaped car chassis so as to provideaccess to an interior space within the egg-shaped car chassis; fourwheels; two axles joining the four wheels to the egg-shaped car chassis;and an animal figurine positioned within the egg-shaped car chassis.